Vintage Crime: The Global History of Wine Fraud

Few products carry as much prestige—or command such extraordinary prices—as fine wine. But wherever rarity and reputation create value, deception is never far behind. In this episode, we explore the fascinating history of wine fraud through the stories uncovered in Rebecca Gibb's Vintage Crime, tracing centuries of counterfeit bottles, forged labels, and ingenious scams from ancient Rome to the modern auction house. We examine why even experienced collectors and experts can be fooled, how infamous fraudsters exploited the mystique surrounding luxury vintages, and why the global wine market continues to battle sophisticated counterfeiting operations today. The story reveals that the world of fine wine has always been shaped by more than taste alone, inviting us to question how much of a bottle's value comes from what's inside—and how much comes from the story, status, and scarcity attached to its label.https://www.economist.com/culture/2023/11/14/how-to-spot-a-fake-wine